Top 5 Nigerian Female Music Artists You Should Know

Throughout the early 2000’s, Nigerian music has only put the spotlight on male musicians. The only way women would be recognized in the industry was through song features or writing songs, but now that has changed. Artists like Tiwa Savage and Asa have paved the way for talented female musicians to be more involved and respected. Check out the popular, multifaceted female musicians that are most talked about today, and make sure to also check out our Top 5 Nigerian Male Music Artists You Should Know.

Di’Ja (Mavin Records)

Photo Cred: Thenet.ng

Nigeria’s very own songstress Di’Ja has sold us on her soothing voice and jazzy melody. Di’Ja has experienced quite a music career thus far. Not only has she been nominated for both “Most promising act to watch” at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards and “Best Urban/ R&B single at the Canadian Radio Music Awards but she has also won “Best New Artist” at the Beat Music Awards. Di’Ja has been quietly climbing up the male dominated Mavin Records ladder with her known single “Dorobucci.” This year is the year you might want to watch out for her.

Mo’Cheddah (Cheddah Records)

Photo Cred: Ynaija.com

Not new to the Nigerian music scene, Nigerian songstress Mo’Cheddah has been proving herself to be the strong female presence that the Nigerian music scene has been needing. Not only does she have her own style in music, she decided to leave her old label Knighthouse to create her own. Through this label, she has released singles like “Bad” which featured Olamide. The afro-beat rap and R&B track has shown us that not only can she sing, but she can also rap. Her style is very similar to Nicki Minaj in the track as well– as in the “Bad” video; be sure to be on the lookout for her new music.

Tiwa savage (Mavin Records/323 entertainment)

Photo Cred: Naij.com

Nigerian singer/songwriter, recording artist, performer, and actress Tiwa Savage has been holding down the music scene for female musicians for a while now. As other female musicians strived to be noticed for one talent, Savage took upon her self to be noticed for her songwriting as well as singing. Savage wrote songs for artists like Snoop Dogg, David Guetta, and Kat Deluna. As she was getting recognized for songwriting she was soon to be noticed for her single “Kele Kele Love”. The Afro-Pop and R&b track paved the way for her to land on several Nigerian music charts. Today, she is still as an inspirational artist that started from the bottom and humbly made it to the top.

Asa (Naive)

Photo Cred: Asa-official.com

The Paris based Nigerian singer-songwriter Asa happens to be one of the most popular new-generation artist who is renowned for her fusion of contemporary Jazz sound, pop and reggae with traditional Yoruba melodies. Asa has made it normal to experiment with different sounds and to express whatever is going on in the world as well as her life. She wasn’t the type of artist to feed the audience with commercialized music, she always went and did her own thing. This boldness gave her respect as a musician not just a female musician.

Yemi Alade (Effyzzie Music Group)

Photo Cred:Lekkiesmusic.com

Nigerian Afro-pop singer Yemi Alade came into the limelight after winning the Peak talent show in Lagos. She then released her first single “Fimisile” under Jus’ Kiddin’ Label. She later signed to Effyzzie Music Group and started working with hit producers DJ Klem, D’tunes, E-Kelly, Sizzle Pro, Fliptyce and renowned South African producer Garth. Her successful single ‘Ghen Ghen Love’ soon was released and became a hit, topping many radio and video charts across Africa. Yemi Alade has been releasing hit after hit and now is praised for being one of the best Nigerian female musicians.